The Chevy Malibu Celebrates Its 50th Birthday

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When the Chevrolet Malibu nameplate first made its debut, gas was around 30 cents a gallon in 1964, versus being around 10 times that, 50 years later. Cars were mostly RWD, the Beatles came to the U.S. from Liverpool, and Astroturf wouldn’t be around for another year.

In short, the Chevy Malibu has seen a lot. Back in the early 60’s, the Malibu was one of the early midsize sedans available in the U.S. market, and Chevy’s first intermediate one. Surely it looked a bit more nostalgic, but we’ll take the better mileage, refinement, and safety in lieu.

And chew on this little factoid: the 2014 Malibu’s standard 2.5L four-cylinder engine puts out 65 percent more horsepower than the original Malibu’s standard 3.2L six-cylinder. My, how things change over 8 generations of delicious, vehicular evolution.

1964 Malibu vs 2014 Malibu

1964 Malibu

2014 Malibu

Construction:

body-on-frame

body-frame-integral

Drivetrain layout:

rear-wheel drive

front-wheel drive

Wheelbase:

115 in.

107.8 in.

Overall length:

193.9 in.

191.5 in.

Overall width:

74.6 in.

73 in.

Curb weight:

2870 lbs.

3393 lbs.

Standard engine:

3.2L inline-six

2.5L inline-four

Valvetrain:

cam-in-block with pushrods

DOHC with variable valve timing and variable valve lift control

Fuel delivery:

one single-barrel carburetor

direct fuel injection

Horsepower:

120

196

Transmission:

3-speed manual (std.); 2-speed automatic (opt.)

6-speed automatic

Brakes:

four-wheel drum

four-wheel disc with ABS

Steering:

recirculating ball (non-assisted); power-assist (opt.)

electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion

Wheel size:

14 x 6.5-in. (std.)

16 x 7.5-in. (std.)

Air conditioning:

optional

Standard

Infotainment:

AM radio

Chevrolet MyLink

Safety:

optional safety belts

10 standard air bags

StabiliTrak stability control:

unavailable

Standard

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This article would have been better if a photo of an original 1964 Chevelle was shown next to a 2014 Malibu. I remember ithe Chevelle because a neighbor had one in black, and it was a smaller version of the Impala.